Washington, D.C. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today congratulated Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona on a newly announced $1.24 million award from the Department of Labor to help retrain and educate former juvenile justice offenders. Grijalva will appear with Liz Gulick, Director of Programs and Marketing for the local Goodwill, and other local leaders at a press conference June 22 in Tucson to discuss the award and its impact on the Southern Arizona community.

The grant is part of nearly $30 million in awards to 21 programs announced today for organizations that serve juvenile ex-offenders through training and service learning. Goodwill and the other grantees will use the funds to serve young adults aged 18-21 who were involved in the juvenile justice system from the age of 14 or older but were never convicted as an adult.

“This is a huge boost to our efforts to help at-risk youth get back on track, finish their education and set themselves up for successful careers,” Grijalva said. “I can’t thank the Labor Department enough for setting up this program, and I’m looking forward to meeting with Goodwill and to discuss how to take the best advantage of this important opportunity.”

“This grant opportunity really fits into Goodwill’s mission of providing services, training and jobs to people with barriers to employment,” Gulick said. “We are looking forward to working with the Pima County One-Stop and other agencies in the community to make an impact on the lives of young people.”

If You Go

What: Rep. Grijalva press conference with Goodwill Industries and other local leaders to discuss new juvenile justice education grant

When: June 22 at 1:30 p.m. Tucson time

Where: 1940 East Silverlake, Suite 401